Mixed Media

Mixed Media presents students opportunities to build critical thinking skills as they use various materials together in innovative ways. Combining and manipulating tactile materials can help build hand-eye coordination and strengthen problem solving skills while creating individual works of art. 

Processes and techniques: multimedia layers, crayon/watercolor resist, paper collage, and texture rubbings.

Emphasis on the Elements of Art: shape, space, texture, and color.

California Arts Standards for Public Schools

CREATING—Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 

1.1 Enduring Understanding: Creativity and innovative thinking are essential life skills that can be developed. 

Essential Questions: What conditions, attitudes, and behaviors support creativity and innovative thinking? 

Process Component: Imagine, Plan, Make

TK: Warm and Cool Colors - Crayon and Watercolor Fishbowl

Artist Connections

Henri Matisse, Goldfish, 1911

Kelly Bennett (Author) and Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator), Not Norman, A Goldfish Story, 2005 (Picture Book)

Kindergarten: People and Fashion Design - Finishing Details with Collage 

Artist Connections

Christian Bérard, Promenade, 1928

Nan Fleming, Senior, 2003

Julie Lapping Rivera, Still Life with Figure, 2004–2005 

1st grade:  A Way to Travel - Finishing Details with Collage

Artist Connections

Tsuchiya Kōitsu, Rain in Ginza, 1933

Chris Van Dusen, If I Built a Car (If I Built Series), 2007 (Picture Book)

2nd grade: A Row of Buildings - Inside and Outside 

Artist Connections

Ana Serrano, A Daydreamer's Street, 2013

Ana Serrano, East Hollywood (LA Metro Station Art)  “Journeys Continued… LA Communities Through the Eyes of Artists” builds on an exhibition presented in 2017 and focuses on neighborhoods and cities within Los Angeles County “through the eyes of artists.” via Ana Serrano – Art

3rd grade: Environments for Expressive Dinosaurs - Paper Sculpture Bases

Artist Connections

Margaret Mayo (Author) and Alex Ayliiffe (Illustrator) Stomp, Dinosaurs, Stomp!, 2010 (Picture Book)

William Parsons, Majungatholus, 1998

4th grade: Natural Habitats - Mixed Media Watercolor Bird

Artist Connections 

Jane Kim, Wall of Birds Project | Bird Academy • The Cornell Lab, 2016

Jean Metzinger, Colorful Landscape with Aquatic Birds, ca. early 1900s

5th grade: Details of a Building Corner - Watercolor on Paper Sculpture

Artist Connections

Ana Serrano, Ice Cold, 2013

Ana Serrano, Mustard House (Back View), 2012